I'm gonna be heading out to catalina island for a camping trip. Gonna bring a rod with 10lb test.

What rig and bait should I use if I wanna fish off the shore and off a pier?

I'm looking for edible fish but will accept nonedible ones just because saltwater fishing is fun.

Hi lo rig is used for most smaller fish but you'll have more fun fishing for Bonito. For that, you'll need a splasher rig. Im actually heading there and fishing next weekend. Going for Bonito and Yellowtail mostly.

Are the bonito hard to catch? Can they be caught in the surf or are they mainly found off the pier?

what lure/bait do you use for the splasher rig? Im familiar with this rig because I use it for fly fishing.

When I was there as a teenager, we rented an Aluminum boat and trolled some Krocodile's for one Barracuda. After learning about how my brother in law and his friends fish the Channel Islands, I wish I could turn back the clock and would have brought a sweet ass swimbait setup and would have thrown swimbaits along the shore. Specifically Hammers and Fishtraps. 1-2oz heads and 5-7 inch bodies in any color might help.

Him and his friends would fish along the Channel Islands for Halibut and Kelp Bass. I snorkled at Catalina too and there were kelp bass everywhere. I am sure you can do the same while on Catalina. Sounds like an awesome trip. Bring back some pics!

BTW, when are you going? Can I go?

All the Bonito I catch there are off the pier. For the splasher rig, use flies in green/white, green/pink and green combos that are like a size 6. You need to cast out far and pop it back in.

yea, theres a lot of kelp bass there when I went snorkeling couple years back. They sell the packs of fish food everywhere, including where you rent the snorkel gear and the kelp bass are so used to people feeding them that they'll eat off your hands. The moment you step into the water, they swim up around you just waiting for you to feed them. Quite aggressive though, one bit my hand and it actually started to bleed.

anyways, my buddy and I went fishing for couple hours using the rental boats but didn't have any luck. catch something big and post it up. have fun!

We're leaving san jose on friday morning. You can come too but it'll be 90$.

I'll bring back pics

I just got back from fishing Catalina this last Saturday. My friends and I totally slayed the Bonito and Barracuda there. It was awesome fun! We caught about 25 Bonito and lost about 25 in the Kelp right in front of us. We also landed a total of 6 barracuda and lost 8 or so. I love fishing out there.

Awesome. You have any pics of the fish you caught?

I saw some guys fishing for baracuda. MAN those fish are huge. There were a school of 4 or 6 baracudas(about 5 feet long) chasing a 9 inch fish lure.

Here are some pics I took of people's catch.

It was my first time fishing in saltwater so I only caught small Calilco Bass about 1/4 pounds.

And I caught a Garabaldi. They put up a mean fight. especially since I only had 4 pound test.



This guy caught a lobster(what kind is it?) On some mackeral and a hook. The lobster just held on to the chunk all the way up.



This guy caught a Bonito. MAN this thing put up a fight and it was fun watching him catch it.

That last picture was my friend...I was with that group on the right. I ended up giving that dude that got the lobster a barracuda since he really didnt catch anything.

Those are some good catches.

Do you know of any other places where you catch fish like that off a pier or dock?

I want to get into saltwater fishing but I dont want to buy a boat or travel to Catalina island everytime.

Nope...Catalina is really tough to beat...

very nice fish! i love it when fishing days go right!